Rare Colt 1860

[Tinker]

That is an absolutely beautiful Colt revolver, and the provenance is so special to Tinker and his family!!! I am curious that the letter from Colt indicates the revolver was for Lt. J. Low (sic), and shipped more than a year before the CSS Alabama first sailed (July 27, 1862). Does anyone in this thread have an explanation for this disparity?
JayhawkDan

I have to assume that the letter from Colt that refers to the CSS Alabama is perhaps the fault of the person at Colt who researchs the shiping data for the guns in question. Here is what I found on John Low. He was born in Aberdeen 24th January 1836. His parents died soon after his birth and he was raised by relatives in England. He joined the Merchant Navy at 16, settled in Savannah in 1856 and opened a merchant - supply business and this is what he was involved with at the start of the war. He first enlisted as a Private in the Georgia Hussars on the 19th January 1861 but soon left to take up an appointment in the Confederate Navy as a Lieutenant. Commander James Bulloch the Confederacy representative in Liverpool asked for Low's services as his assistant to acquire ships for the cause. (It is probably that during this time that he also procured small arms for the cause) Low sailed as an officer with Bulloch in the 'Fingal' * later to become the CSS 'Atlanta', converted her to a warship at sea and arrived in Savannah on the 12th November 1861 with a cargo of 15,000 Enfield Rifles and 4 cannon.

 

[Grenadier1758]

I have been slow to respond to the comments as I wanted to hear as many as I could before adding any other information. History of the revolver: After doing more research I have verified to my satisfaction that this revolver, SN924 was part of the shipment of 500 revolvers sent to Peter Williams & Co. Richmond, VA earmarked for Lt. J. Low, CSN, CSS Alabama. * This was one of the last shipments of revolvers sent to the Southern states and it was shipped on the same day as the take over of Fort Sumter, April 15, 1861. This revolver would eventually be issued to an officer, or cavalry soldier of the 1st. Virginia Cavalry after the Virginia State Authorities seized the 500 revolvers. Condition of the revolver: It has all matching numbers to include the barrel, frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder, and cylinder pin. The barrel and cylinder have an even smooth brown patina. Traces of the original color case hardening remain on the loading lever. Only the last three words of (ADDRESS COL. SAM’ COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA) are faintly visible on the top of the barrel and "COLTS/PATENT" is worn but visible on the left side of the frame. The silver plating on the grip straps has turned to a brown patina. The grips have a small corner chip missing on the front of the left side and a thin line crack at the top along with minor-moderate dings and scratches. The initial H is carved on the bottom of the right-side grip and the inspectors markings are faintly visible on each side. The revolver cycles and the hammer holds solidly at both half cock and full cock positions. The bore shows clear rifling, but also fowling and oxidation in some areas. . Why is it rare? First production year, fluted cylinder, military version, issued to Confederate States. Question as to the finish? The patina is consistent in color on all the barrel, cylinder and frame. I can not determine if at some time it was refinished or not, but that concern didn't stop me from purchasing the revolver. If it was refinished then the value will of course be less.

I am somewhat confused. Seven states seceded from the union and Virginia was not one of them. The Confederacy was formed on February 8, 1861. The shipment was to a Confederate officer with an address in Virginia. Virginia did not secede until April 17, 1861. Being shipped to the southern states and earmarked for the CSS and to a CSN Ship that did not yet exist. Who were these revolvers shipped to originally? Something is not making sense to me. Something is strange about the shipping information.

 

[Bad Karma]

You might be right about the finish, can't tell for sure. The patina is even across all parts, something difficult to attain when re bluing.

I’m even more sure of that now. The numbers, patent stamping and many of the edges show significant wear whether from use or buffing it’s hard to say. No case hardening etc. Still, a nice early Colt pre cavalry chamber. I prefer the fluted cylinder guns.

 

[Tinker]

I am somewhat confused. Seven states seceded from the union and Virginia was not one of them. The Confederacy was formed on February 8, 1861. The shipment was to a Confederate officer with an address in Virginia. Virginia did not secede until April 17, 1861. Being shipped to the southern states and earmarked for the CSS and to a CSN Ship that did not yet exist. Who were these revolvers shipped to originally? Something is not making sense to me. Something is strange about the shipping information.

You are again correct. The 500 gun shipment was sent to this address
Peter Williams & Co. Richmond Virginia. Upon arrival the shipment was seized by the confederates.

 

[Tinker]

You are again correct. The 500 gun shipment was sent to this address
Peter Williams & Co. Richmond Virginia. Upon arrival the shipment was seized by the confederates.

Considering the condition of this 159-year-old Colt it is still has rare and historical significance. As one of the famous order of 500 revolvers shipped to Richmond, Virginia on April 15th. 1861, two days after the surrender of Fort Sumter. These 500 Colts, shipped to Williams, Peters and Company, were the last shipment, by Colt, to the South and the only arms that can be identified by serial number as being issued to the Confederacy. According to Colt archives only 28 of these 500 revolvers were shipped with a [silver] plated backstrap and trigger guard. Sam Colt, rushing to complete this order, to Richmond Virginia, of 500 of his new revolvers, shipped 28 "plated" guns and followed with 472 brass framed 1860 Armies with fluted cylinders. According to Charles W. Pate, author of "The Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver", there are only 55 known examples remaining of these historic Confederate Colts. It is unknown how many of the 28 plated frame 1860 Armies remain but statistically it must be very few indeed.

 

[Huasser1]

I googled Lt. J Lo and this is what came up.

View attachment 124282

don't wanna make her mad..

 

[Eutycus]

You're lucky to have a gun with matching parts. I read that Colt's factory workers assembled "new" guns from mismatched parts in late 1860.

 

[Eutycus]

I think the Colt archives listed 2 revolvers in the Williams shipment going to a Lt.J. Low.Serial# s 923 and 959. Puzzling indeed.

 

[KSDryPowder]

I found this thread to be fascinating, fun and very informative. As far as Lt. J. Lo is concerned, definitely a cool piece that I would hold on to as well.

 

[Tinker]

I think the Colt archives listed 2 revolvers in the Williams shipment going to a Lt.J. Low.Serial# s 923 and 959. Puzzling indeed.

I have found two additional guns thst were in that shipment SN 190 and SN1818.

 

[Eutycus]

I have found two additional guns thst were in that shipment SN 190 and SN1818.

And I found 6 more. Also a guy on another forum thinks this gun could be worth around $10,000 or more if the documentation is legit.